Power for the Cause—Thrivent Financial Volunteer Excellence Award recipients talk about what drives their efforts, and why each cause is near and dear to their hearts.

Gary Parker is a “wanted man” in Grand Island, Nebraska. He’s wanted for the expertise and enthusiasm he brings to volunteer activities occurring in his community.

While he volunteers where he can, Parker readily admits to having a couple of favorite activities. Passionate about eliminating substandard housing, Parker has been a longtime advocate of Habitat for Humanity home building projects in his community. His work through the Hall County Chapter of Thrivent Financial with the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity program has been fun, he says.

“I really get to interact with Thrivent members and other Lutherans in a positive way as we make a difference in someone’s life,” Parker says. Grand Island received two Thrivent Builds homes in 2006.

But an even bigger passion for Parker is his role as basketball coach for boys with the Special Olympics. “We have a special needs child who was born with epilepsy,” Parker says. “Special Olympics has become a special part of our family life all these years.”

Parker serves as head coach for 25 players that play on two teams. He has four other volunteer coaches. They play about eight games a season, and the goal of the program is for the athletes to have fun, but also get a self-esteem boost.

“I really get a lot of joy out of watching these guys play ball,” Parker says. “They deserve respect, and they get it here. This is something they choose to do, and they work hard!”

Also for the past several years, Parker has served on a committee that helps students with special needs find jobs and prepare for life after high school.

A member of the Heartland Lutheran High School board, Parker has participated in a number of fund-raisers, including for a new gymnasium that opened recently. “It took three years, but it is a beautiful facility,” he says.

Parker also has been active in the local Optimist Club for two decades and a member of Peace Lutheran Church for nearly three decades. At the church, he has served a variety of roles through the years, including on various church boards, as a Sunday school teacher, youth chaperone, adult Bible study leader and membership class leader.

“For me, it’s just the right thing to do at the right time,” says Parker about his volunteer activities. “Within reason, there are a lot of ways I can help.”